Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 is poised to deliver a verdict in the crimes against humanity case concerning the killing of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July Mass Uprising. The tribunal has kept the judgment under CAV (curia advisari vult), signaling the conclusion of hearings and the anticipation of a decision.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the prosecution, on January 25, sought the maximum punishment for the accused, while the defense argued for their acquittal. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, along with senior prosecutor Mizanul Islam and prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim, represented the prosecution. Advocate Aminul Gani Tito defended former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, and Advocate Sujad Miah was appointed as the defense counsel for the fugitive accused.
Six out of the 30 accused appeared before the tribunal, including former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, former assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan Russel, former staffer Md Anwar Pervej, former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain, former constable Sujan Chandra Roy, and former BRUR Chhatra League general secretary Imran Chowdhury Akash.
Charges were framed against the 30 accused on August 6, 2025. Prior to this, on June 30, the ICT-2 had issued arrest warrants for 26 fugitives, among whom was former BRUR vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid. The investigation agency filed its report on June 24, implicating 30 individuals, including a former commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police. Four of the accused were interrogated in June after their formal arrest in April.
The prosecution asserts that on July 16, 2024, just before Abu Sayed was killed, the then proctor allegedly expelled students from the campus with the assistance of Chhatra League activists, following which two policemen purportedly shot Sayed at close range. Sayed’s family lodged a complaint on January 13, 2025, naming 25 individuals as responsible for the incident.